How to Clean the Headphone Jack

If your phone or other electronic devices are left uncovered in a bag or pocket, dust and fabric fibers can build up in the headphone jack. If not cleaned, it may become difficult to plug in your headphones. The good news is that cleaning the headphone jack is an easy and safe process with just a few common household items. Canned air can blow out debris, a cotton swab can clean up stubborn bits, and a straightened paperclip can remove fabric fibers.

Purchase a can of compressed air. You can find canned air at tech stores or online retail platforms. This product is also used to clean dust from computer parts, so you can look for it in computer accessory shops. Compressed air is unlikely to damage the jack, as it simply blows air into it.

Aim the spray nozzle towards the headphone jack. Direct the air stream into the small hole next to the jack. Some sprays even come with a small nozzle attached at the tip, making it easy to aim and spray air directly into the jack.

Start spraying. Press the button at the top of the compressed air can to begin spraying. A couple of sprays should be enough to blow out any debris stuck inside the jack.

Purchase cotton swabs. These can be found at most grocery stores or health and beauty shops. Choose ones with tightly wound tips to prevent any cotton from getting stuck inside the jack. A smaller tip will fit better and clean more effectively.

Trim excess cotton from the swab tip. Tear or cut the cotton so that it fits closely to the stick. This way, the swab tip will fit snugly into the headphone jack for better cleaning.

Twist the cotton swab inside the headphone jack. Be careful not to get the cotton tip stuck inside. Gently insert the swab into the hole until the tip reaches deep inside the jack. Rotate the swab to clean the inner corners. Once you remove the swab, most of the dust and debris should fall out.

Use rubbing alcohol. For stubborn particles, dab a little rubbing alcohol onto the cotton tip. Make sure the swab is just damp, not dripping wet. Gently squeeze out any excess alcohol before inserting the swab back into the jack and rotating it.

• Rubbing alcohol can wear down metals, so use it sparingly.

Dry the jack with a clean cotton swab. Rubbing alcohol dries quickly, but it's a good idea to remove any remaining moisture to minimize contact with the surface. Insert a clean swab into the jack, let it sit for a moment, and then gently rotate it to absorb the alcohol.

Straighten a paperclip. Once you’ve straightened the paperclip, you can use it to dislodge debris from the jack. However, be cautious as the metal can scratch the inner surface of the jack.

• You can also use a toothpick, but the pointed end may still scratch the inside of the jack.
• The paperclip is useful for reaching lint and larger particles, but its sharp metal tip can easily scratch the jack, so use it only as a last resort.

Wrap tape around the end of the paperclip. Use a small office-type tape. Wrap the tape tightly around the straightened paperclip. Before using it, check to make sure the tape is secure and won’t come loose.

Gently insert the taped end into the headphone jack. Slowly place the taped part into the jack to reach the debris you can see. Note: avoid pushing too deeply. The tape acts like a lint roller, helping you pick up any debris or lint stuck inside the jack.

• Be gentle and cautious with anything you insert into the jack. The metal inside the jack is very prone to scratches and wear.

• Compressed air can
• Cotton swabs
• Paperclip
• Office tape
• Rubbing alcohol